Cheaha Wilderness fire grows

CLAY COUNTY - Firefighters battling a wildfire in Cheaha Wilderness didn't get any help Wednesday from the elements, as sweltering temperatures and dry conditions continued to feed the multiacre blaze.

By late afternoon, the fire had grown to almost 400 acres, with plumes of thick white smoke filling the air. White smoke means a hotter fire which burns virtually everything in its path.

Jorge Hersel, information officer for the U.S. Forest Service, said about 60 workers were on site, using bulldozers in some areas and picks and shovels in others. By late in the day, a helicopter began dumping water on the fire area while workers raced ahead of the fire in hopes of building containment lines.

Investigators believe the fire began over the weekend following a lightning strike and may have burned as long as a day before it was spotted. Fire crews have been at work for about three days to try and contain the flames near the High Falls area.

William Thornton

For more details, including the thoughts of some firefighters, and photos, see Thursday's Birmingham News